Chris Bowers & Sons Avis 

Terrible customer service.

The tree I purchased was a fastigiate/columnar variety, though when it arrived it had only two branches, both growing out at 45 degrees. After enquiring to see how best to plant, I received one sentence (I guessed it was meant for me, and I have no idea who wrote it) and my follow-up emails requesting advice and information were ignored.

As a result, I will not be planting the tree in the space I had planned, as I just do not trust that it is as described.

If I'd not had such a busy schedule, I would've taken it further, as it was I had to put it down to bad experience. Due to the lack of time and, thus, forethought, I had not read reviews first, which, as a rule I had always done! My advice is to keep well away.

I'm sorry to read the negative comments - my experience has been very satisfactory.

I had ordered a fan-trained peach, and although delivery took longer than I had been expecting, communications with the customer service department have been prompt and helpful - and the peach tree arrived well packaged and looking healthy.

I wouldn't hesitate to order from Chris Bowers again in the future.

One Star is a compliment and far too flattering.

Placed an order in Mid October was informed the delivery would be 3-5 days. When I requested an actual delivery date I was given drivel without a confirmed delivery date, other than i could take up to 28 days (Which according to Mabel at Chris Bowers is "statutory" lol) and still without an actual confirmed delivery date.

I cancelled my order, have written to them 4 times to request a refund without a response. Have had to take out a section 75 with the credit card company to have funds returned. In my opinion, if you wish to be disappointed, waste your time, and thoroughly let down, these guys may well exceed your low expectations.

PS a post uploaded by another "customer" on 04-11-2025 received a very similar experience albeit they have had their funds returned without notice of cancellation or any prior contact.

Cant wait to read what drivel Mabel at Chris Bowers will produce following this rating.

My peach tree arrived promptly was well packed and a very nice specimen...
I'm looking forward to bumper crops!

Ordered two weeks ago, no communication received regarding the order status, website said in stock 5-7 days delivery. I finally sent an email out a couple of days ago. I had a response saying item would be delivered the middle of next week.

Today I received a refund email. No apology, nothing. Just a complete waste of time. Avoid and go buy from a company that actually cares about your business.

To start with the website is a delight to inform how to choose the right tree when you are new to fruit trees. The guides are comprehensive and easy to read. So I felt like I could make a n informed choice. I was a bit nervous about the reviews but balanced the positives with the negatives.
I found ordering easy and it was confirmed quickly. The trees was delivered within the advised 30 days. Delivery was a good experience well packed and delivered within a smile.
The tree looks healthy and is in the ground following the great guidance. Just waiting for it to spring into life next year
Thanks for great service.

Trees arrived promptly and in great condition
Will buy from them again

Changed my review from a one star to three star after my order arrived and the grape vines I ordered seem good quality. Pity their customer service is below average and they don’t reply to any emails/contact forms beacuse their products and pricing are reasonable

Appalling lack of service. My plants did not arrive after 6 weeks. I tried ringing and left messages with no response. Fortunately I used PayPal so was able to get a refund.

Bought what was meant to be a Court Pendu Plat, some years ago from this grower, it was nothing of the sort- after a bit of research, I worked out they had sent a Catshead. Unfortunately until the tree fruited it was impossible to know that the incorrect tree had been sent out.

I ordered an apple tree from Bowers but the following day realised I had ordered the wrong variety So I phoned to request a change. The reply was that it was too late !! to change. After barely 24 hours?
To make matters worse the quality of the tree that arrived was very poor.

I ordered a redcurrant cordon. The delivery took much longer than I thought and I did email about a month later to be told it was due to be dispatched - I wonder if I hadn’t contacted them whether it would have been sent. It arrived looking in very poor health, I notified them via email immediately and received no response. I chased, no reply. About a month later it was dead, so I finally called and to be fair I was sent a replacement (hard to tell health as now it will be dormant). But the bare root came with very little soil so I had to immediately repot, which was a bit inconvenient but fine. The main issue was half the “soil” was pieces of cat poo. It smelled awful when I opened the plastic and initially I thought it may have been a type of manure but no, there were four very distinct clumps of excrement, honestly more poo than soil. I own a cat myself but it still wasn’t pleasant and made me wonder about the growing and packing process…time will tell if the plant is a success or not but between the poor condition, poor communication and poor packaging (!) I am not sure I would buy from them again.

Ordered a lovely plum tree.
Excellent communication for delivery and very well wrapped. It's been in the ground 2 weeks and looking super healthy. I'm very pleased.

Order placed in September, Monies taken, Discovery apple tree not delivered, all emails ignored....DO NOT recommend and avoid

Ordered two bare root flowering cherries but received pot grown trees. The were undersized and not the standard trees I was told they were going to. When I complained and said I wanted to return them, I was told to give them to charity and they would send two more trees. The trees received were poor quality and undersized barely 50cm when the website says 125 to 150cm. Again got in touch with Chris Bowers about returning the trees for a refund and got a very rude, curt email saying "they were freebies you return them" and that was all. Will never order from them again.

I have purchased various fruit trees from this supplier. I particularly like how they pack and deliver them in a quick safe way. The products are also really healthy and good root system. My last suppliers products just died. They were no where near as good. I have no complaints with any of the plants and I have had quite a few

A very straightforward company to deal with. Products, in this case apple trees, are accurately described and the website is easy to use. Delivery was punctual and the trees look healthy. So far so good.

Everything about the service from Chris Bowers has been excellent. Really easy to navigate the website, fantastic information about each different plant and great guides to each type of fruit tree.
My order arrived safely and in really super quick time and the customer service follow up has been great. The plants were packed beautifully, really healthy and are now planted out. I can't wait for the fruit to start.
Many thanks for everything.

Pear tree died in fairly short order. Despite having proof of purchase invoice, which is all the law requires, because I hadn’t kept the ID number on an email sent at time of purchase, the company totally refused, quite rudely, to honour their guarantee. Shoddy company. Would never use again

So far - so good...
Ordered a Red Falstaff apple tree, which was delivered in suitable packaging with plenty of straw for protection.
The tree itself is probably taller than I was expecting... but that's no bad thing in my mind.
So, I'm now very excited for next year when I hope to see some growth.
Finally, it was lovely that Gemma from Customer Service reached out by email to ask if all was well with the delivery etc